Too expensive for you, the Peugeot 205 GTI and Renault 5 GT Turbo? Then maybe you can look to the 205 XS and Super 5 GTX. In the shadow of the stars, the world of youngtimers indeed includes lesser known sports versions, but not devoid of interest for all that.
Are you biting your fingers not to have bought a 205 GTI or an R5 GT Turbo when these bombs were trading around €3,000? Do you regret that the BMW M3 E30, Audi Quattro and Lancia Delta Integrale are becoming more inaccessible every day? You can’t afford an Alfa Romeo GTV6 coupe or a Ford Focus RS either? Unless you design a time machine, it’s too late to fight the rising ratings of many youngtimers. But in the range of all these models there were also other sports versions. Less powerful and less publicized, equipped with less radical chassis, they have often been forgotten. Therefore, their prices are more reasonable, despite sometimes looking quite close. Some are even still trading for a pittance. This does not prevent them from delivering already interesting sensations, well helped by a moderate weight and less soundproofing than on current cars.
<< Our slideshow of affordable sports youngtimers >>
Rather 205 XS or Super 5 GTX?
So don’t let yourself be too cooled by the modest 80 to 85 hp of the 205 XS, far from the 105 to 130 hp of the GTI or the 103 hp of the highly sought-after 205 Rallye. If this power is barely worthy of an entry-level city car today, it only has 810 kg to carry here: it’s 120 kg less than the last Lotus Elise! The performances are therefore not ridiculous. As for the behavior, with a somewhat flexible damping and a non-triangulated front axle, it cannot claim to offer the same precision as on the 205 GTI. But it also turns out to be less sharp for budding pilots and already fun. As a bonus, for family trips, this Peugeot even existed in five-door under the name of 205 GT.
Renault Clio RSI (1993-1997)
In the “opposite camp”, Renault offers the Super 5 GTX to support its turbulent GT Turbo. With its big 1.7 atmospheric 90 hp, it really has nothing to be ashamed of in the face of the Sochaux. It is however with its replacement, the first generation of Clio, that the Losange will go much further, by offering no less than four sports versions at the same time! Overshadowed for a long time by the Williams, the 140 hp 16s is now starting to get back on its feet, after celebrating its thirtieth anniversary last year. On the other hand, the Clio S, powered by an 80 hp 1.4 combined with a short gearbox, and the Clio RSI, powered by a 110 hp 1.8, are still not very sought after.
Business to do… without too much delay
There are therefore still good deals to be had, such as the 106 and 306 XSI, less in demand than the S16, the Lancia Delta HF 4×4, less popular than the Integrale, or the Alfa Romeo GTV 2.0, whose prices are not have not yet risen as much as those of the GTV6. Our slideshow can give you other ideas of models who have remained in the shadow of the stars of the youngtimers world. As usual, stay vigilant before cracking: a meticulous inspection is essential, in particular to detect rust or a possible accident badly repaired. In addition, even if most of the cars in our selection are very reliable, their advanced age and sometimes neglected maintenance can lead to some unpleasant surprises. Some parts can also sometimes be difficult to find. But beware not to drag too long to buy these forgotten ones, because their rating has already often started to climb. Even if it remains far from the heights reached by the M3, the BMW 318 iS E30 is thus approaching more and more the bar of 15,000 €.
READ ALSO. Youngtimers: these models still accessible at less than €10,000.
